Vikings ticket sales have impact on money from NFL

August 31, 2007 at 5:26AM

The Vikings have more incentive to sell out the Metrodome in addition to avoiding a television blackout. Should their ticket revenues dip below a predetermined level this season, the Vikings will lose potentially millions of dollars in NFL revenue-sharing payouts.

League owners passed an enhanced plan this spring that called for the top 15 revenue-producing teams to contribute $110 million annually into a pot, which is then distributed to the lowest-revenue teams.

Because the Vikings' total revenue already ranks last among the NFL's 32 teams, they would be in line for the biggest payout -- anywhere from $5 million to $10 million. First, however, they would have to meet a series of criteria designed to ensure teams are maximizing their available resources before qualifying for league welfare.

Most notably, the Vikings' 2007 gate receipts must reach at least 90 percent of the league average this year. If not, their payout will decrease according to a complex formula designed by league financiers.

Earlier this week, team officials acknowledged they were 5,800 tickets short of a sellout for their Sept. 9 season opener against Atlanta. Those tickets must sell by noon Sept. 6 or the game will be blacked out in the Vikings' primary and secondary television markets.

Thousands of tickets remain for the Vikings' other seven home games. Exact figures were not available, but it is believed the team needs to sell out their season -- defined as 62,000 tickets per game -- in order to meet the 90 percent threshold.

A night off

Vikings coach Brad Childress had said starters would play only one series Thursday in the preseason finale, but five veterans didn't even see that much action. Running back Chester Taylor, defensive tackles Kevin and Pat Williams, middle linebacker E.J. Henderson and cornerback Antoine Winfield were in uniform but didn't play.

Adrian Peterson started in Taylor's place. Spencer Johnson and Howard Green opened at the tackle spots, Dontarrious Thomas replaced Henderson and rookie Marcus McCauley lined up at left cornerback.

The Vikings also had five players on their inactive list, including receiver Bobby Wade, who suffered a sprained ankle last week at Seattle. Rookie Sidney Rice started for Wade.

Also out for the Vikings were safeties Mike Doss (calf) and Tank Williams, linebacker Vinny Ciurciu (finger) and defensive end Darrion Scott. Childress said this week that Williams and Scott "were nicked up a little bit." Scott, it turned out, has a sprained shoulder. He hopes to be ready for the regular-season opener a week from Sunday.

Etc.

• After Anthony Herrera started at right guard against Seattle, Artis Hicks returned as the starter at that position Thursday. Hicks and right tackle Ryan Cook were the only starters to play past the first series.

• Former Vikings quarterback Brad Johnson got the start for Dallas as Tony Romo was given the night off. Johnson gave way to rookie Matt Moore in the second quarter.

• The Vikings used Aundrae Allison as their primary kickoff returner and Charles Gordon on most of their punt returns. Allison returned two kickoffs for 43 yards, while Gordon had two punt returns for 19 yards.

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Kevin Seifert and Judd Zulgad, Star Tribune